Ectopic pregnancy: explanation, signs, symptoms, and treatments

Ectopic pregnancies are pregnancies that take place in an area of the woman’s body other than in the uterus where a pregnancy belongs. They can be a very devastating experience for a woman because the fetus can not survive in this situation and must be removed. These account for about 2% of the pregnancies in the United States. Here are the explanations, signs, symptoms, and treatments for ectopic pregnancies.

What are the explanations?

An ectopic pregnancy takes place when a fertilized egg implants itself someplace other than the uterus. This can be in the fallopian tubes (the most common), the abdomen, the cervix, or the ovary. These locations do not provide the fetus with the proper room to grow. This can cause the area to rupture causing massive bleeding and possibly death.

There are many causes for these types of pregnancies although some occur for no apparent reason. If a woman has a medical problem such as pelvic inflammatory disease or certain sexually transmitted diseases or has endometriosis (uterine lining growing outside of the uterus. Having surgeries on the tubes or even having a tubal ligation can also cause an ectopic. Hormonal imbalances, smoking, and congenital defects can also play a factor.

What are signs and symptoms of an ectopic?

An ectopic pregnancy can be difficult to diagnose as some women have no symptoms whatsoever. Some of the main things to look for are abdominal or pelvic pain, a missed period, early pregnancy signs, vaginal bleeding other than menstruation, dizziness or fainting, and low blood pressure due to severe bleeding. When any of these signs are present, a doctor will conduct a pelvic exam looking for enlarging of the uterus and any bulges that may have formed in the tubes or ovaries which would signal a developing fetus.

Another way that they can diagnose an ectopic is by checking a woman’s HCG levels. HCG levels are used by doctors to determine how far along a woman is in her pregnancy. One of the signs of an ectopic pregnancy is lower than normal HCG levels in the woman’s blood. Ultrasounds are also used to diagnose ectopic pregnancies. The doctor will use an ultrasound to determine where the fetus has implanted itself. Anywhere other than the uterus is considered an ectopic pregnancy and must be taken care of.

What treatments are available?

Treatment of an ectopic will vary depending on the time of diagnosis and also on the location of the fetus. If the embryo is still very small, medication is usually the way to go. A drug called methotrexate is administered. This drug is given through injection directly into a muscle. It then travels through the blood stream into the placenta. This kills the cells of the placenta and the embryo is reabsorbed into the body. This form of termination does not damage the tubes as others might. A blood test is usually needed to confirm that the pregnancy has been ended.

If the embryo is larger or if the woman is in severe pain or has severe bleeding, surgery is needed. Most people can undergo laparoscopic surgery which is a more non-invasive type of surgery. In some cases, such as those with extensive scarring or heavy bleeding, regular abdominal surgery may be required. Often, this method will require removing the tube as well as the embryo. Some people also will require a blood transfusion after this surgery.

Many women fear that after having an ectopic pregnancy that they will not be able to carry a healthy baby to term. This is not the case. While an ectopic will increase your chances of having another, many women go on to have perfectly normal pregnancies. As with any pregnancy loss, a woman should give herself the proper amount of time to mourn her loss prior to trying to conceive again.